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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 10 2015 EDAC rept 5a 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT MEETING DATE: December 10, 2015 AGENDA #: 5.a. PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist AGENDA ITEM: BUSINESS MIXER ACTION ITEMS DISCUSSION: Introduction On October 29, 2015, the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) hosted the Prior Lake Business Mixer. The primary purpose of the event was to provide an open forum for business leaders, property owners and developers to gather with local elected and appointed officials to share opportu- nities, express concerns or offer ideas to make Prior Lake a stronger business community. History The Business mixer helps fulfill two duties of the EDAC, which is to: i) serve as a liaison between city government and the community through interaction with business leaders and community reside nts; and ii) make recommendations to the Economic Development Authority or City staff regarding eco- nomic development issues, strategy development and implementation and other initiatives that can be undertaken by the Economic Development Authority to expand and strengthen business retention & expansion. The comments provided at the Business Mixer provide the EDAC with information related to economic development issues or other initiatives to expand and strengthen businesses. Conclusion The EDAC should begin to discuss a process whereby it will review, evaluate and respond to the submitted comments. City staff has compiled the list of comments received by EDAC members during the event. Comments have been divided into the following categories: i) Business; ii) Government / Communication; iii) Transportation / Infrastructure; iv) Public Assets / Quality of Life; and v) Downtown. It is likely the comments can be further subdivided into short- and long-term categories as well as those that need formal action by the City Council and/or EDA. History In previous years the EDAC has developed a list of ten (or so) EDAC action items to address many of the business owner and resident comments and suggestions. The initial comments and EDAC pro- posed action items will be shared with the meeting attendants via email and posting on the city website. In addition, the EDAC will share action item updates throughout the year. Conclusion The EDAC should discuss the comments and suggestions and establish a timeline to accomplish each of the listed action items. The summary of comments and the EDAC action items will be added to the EDAC page of the city website and a link will be provided to all meeting attendants. EDAC members should review the comments and provide more clarity, if possible, identify any com- ments or suggestions the members heard which are not included on the attachment and discuss which comments the EDAC feels the committee will be able to address in 2016. 2 ISSUES: Staff has received many of the recorded comments from EDAC members; however, a few members have not yet submitted comments. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Some issues may need to have financial resources included as part of the solution or as part of further analysis. ALTERNATIVES: Discussion and provide direction to staff. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Summary of Business Mixer Comments